How long have I lived near this mountain now? I believe it's been about two years now.

My name is Kiichi. You may be wondering why I chose to live on the most dangerous mountain in the region. The answer is simple: I don't want to be found or bothered. So if people are afraid of this mountain, they won't come and bother me, right? Well, that's not entirely true.

Occasionally, an adventurer will come up here looking for treasures guarded by the midstless. Those fools never understand the strength of the midstless on this mountain, but greed can sometimes do funny things to one's sense of self-preservation.

What are treasures, you ask? Every great once in a while, a child will be born with a treasure. Some think this occurs when a child's parents both hold an immense amount of midst, and others believe it to be a pure anomaly. Whatever the case, the treasure that a child is born with can take on any shape and any attribute. As far as we know, no two treasures are exactly alike, either in appearance or attribute. Some say that treasures absorb an attribute likened to the atmosphere in which they were created. Others say treasures take on an attribute that best suits their owner. One thing is for sure. No treasure can change its attribute once set.

I'm getting off-topic. The point is that treasures are rare, highly sought after, and incredibly useful. The greed-consumed adventurers that come to these mountains should be avoided at all costs, and I know this from experience. While I don't have a treasure myself, I own a Novite staff of exquisite craftsmanship. This Novite staff is hefty, so much so that ordinary people can't even wield it. However, channel your midst into a Novite weapon properly, and its power will be yours to command. Novite is an element of high rarity, meaning that a weapon made of it will fetch a high price anywhere.

I'm suddenly drawn out from my thoughts as I sense something nearby. A wretched midstless aura is raging on the mountain.

It seems another bone-headed adventurer got himself into trouble with a midstless, and I reckon it's quite a strong one from the aura. If I go over there and help, It'll likely put me in danger for another ungrateful adventurer who will try to steal my staff as soon as I'm asleep. I came to this mountain to avoid people, and that's what I'm going to do. I'm not going to help.

Who am I kidding? I always go and help regardless of the consequences.

I start to head towards the source of the aura, staff in hand. It's been about twenty minutes since I set off. Was this midstless emitting this aura from this far away? This rescue may have been more trouble than I anticipated. Almost there. It's just through these trees...

As I break through the woods into the clearing, I'm immediately forced to drop to my knees. What is this pressure? This may be a midstless stronger than any I've ever encountered. Just from this aura, I know I can't beat it. This fool is as good as dead already. I guess I'll head back home and pretend I never saw anything.

Huh? My legs won't move. This aura is strong enough to paralyze me from the waist down. I'm stuck here until this aura goes away, so I might as well see what's going on.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I use my arms to pull myself towards the noise a bit more and see what's happening...

What is that?! It's a midstless, but it's taken on a human form? No that's not quite it... it's human-like but it can't have intelligence, right? No midstless I've ever heard of has had intelligence.

Midstless: "Midst... Your Midst... Give it to me..."

This midstless just spoke? Impossible. Is it talking to me?

Hold on. There's a man over there! I almost didn't notice him because of how imposing this beast's presence is. What is he doing? He looks like he's getting ready to fight it. How can he even stand in such close proximity to that monster?

Get out of there! Why don't you run? You have no chance!!

Suddenly, the man rushes the midstless with speeds that I've never seen a human achieve. This isn't just any normal man. What is someone like this doing here? He might actually have a shot-

*CRACK*

*BOOM*

No. He's dead. He's definitely dead. He may be strong, but this midstless just swatted him back into the wall like an insect. I would help, but I would just get in the way. This man is stronger than I'll ever be, and yet this midstless is even more potent. I am wholly outclassed.

*Thump*

Oh! The man landed a hit... oh. My hope for this man has completely dissipated. The strike he just threw would have sent any regular person to the infirmary for weeks, but this beast is entirely unphased.

The man is being lifted by his neck now. His midst is being absorbed by the midstless. There's nothing I can do now, not that there was anything I could have done in the first place. I'm so sorry. If only I were stronger, I could have helped you, stranger. The least I can do is give you a proper burial.

Suddenly, I can feel my legs again. The midstless left faster than I could register. Its aura is completely gone as well.

I stand up shakily and walk over to the man to carry him to a proper grave. What's this? He's still breathing! Incredible! He should be dead ten times over already! I have to commend him.

Kiichi: "I saw your fight... I'm so sorry I couldn't muster up the strength to join the battle, mister. You fought like a true warrior."

His throat is crushed, and there's no way he can reply to me, but at least he can find some solace in the fact that someone witnessed his final battle.

The man shakily raises his hand and points towards the brush to his right. Is he trying to tell me something?

Kiichi: "What? Is there something over there, mister?"

The least I can do is go check it out, I suppose-

Suddenly I hear a whimper and crying coming from the brush. Please don't tell me...

I peer into the brush enclosure and see a newborn child. This must have been why that man couldn't run away. He had something to fight for.

I lean over and pick up the child. This child weighs a ton! No really, this isn't just a healthy baby. This is an unnatural weight for a baby to have! He has a horn... no, a Treasure! So maybe the myth about incredible parents giving birth to kids with treasures wasn't a myth at all. This treasure would explain its weight. This really is a beautiful child, though. Its eyes look like the stars in the night sky, and its hair is a gorgeous blueish blonde. He must be a Cosmic. I've only ever heard legends of Cosmics, but they are as beautiful as I've been led to believe.

I look over at the father who worked so hard to protect his child. He's already gone. He wrote something on the rock face in blood. A-da-chi... Adachi?

I'm sorry you couldn't see Adachi grow up. I swear I'll do my best to raise him in your place. It's the least I can do. After all, I couldn't assist you in your fight. I'll come back to give you a proper burial after I bring this child somewhere safe.

I brace myself and begin to walk back home with this newborn child in tow.

Seriously though, this kid is way too heavy.